Concerned by the rate of avoidable building collapse in the centre of excellence, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, launched the rebranded certificate of fitness for habitation, which according to him, is critical to a saner environment devoid of avoidable loss of lives and properties.
He said that over the years, the realisation of the huge financial and emotional loss and pains that comes with building collapse and sometimes loss of loved ones, calls for the need to design a more holistic and all-encompassing approach to reverse the trend.
The event which was held at Alausa, Ikeja, had stakeholders from the built industry in attendance comprising of builders, structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers among others.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the safety of lives and properties of residents by nipping the unfortunate incidence of building collapse in the bud.
“The launch of this Certificate of Fitness is one of the recent moves that would further help in controlling building collapse incidents. This is a game changer in building control strategies as it portrays us as a government that thinks ahead and that is concerned about the safety of lives and properties of the citizens”, he said.
He however commended the leadership of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for the initiative and its efforts, noting that despite the intensity of the rains this year and in contrast to past experiences, the rate of building collapse has been very minimal.
Sanwo-Olu sought the cooperation of residents in ensuring the success of the initiative while stating that there is nothing to worry about for law abiding citizens and those whose construction works are done to specifications.
“As laudable as this initiative of rebranded certificate of fitness is, its workability relies majorly on the level of acceptance by the general public and this will speak volume to our readiness to join hands with government to bring about desired changes in our environment and also embrace ideas that would further ensure our safety and protection’’.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL. (DR.) Idris Salako in his address at the event, said the initiative is evidence of the high premium the State Government places on the lives and properties of Lagosians.
He mentioned that this is one of the various creative and innovative measures being implemented to safeguard the populace from imminent dangers.
He, however, enjoined the officers that have been charged and assigned to the tasks to ensure due diligence, integrity and honesty in the discharge of their duties while encouraging Owners/Developers as well as intending investors in the real estate business in the State to embrace the initiative.
The General Manager Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Arc. Gbolahan Oki in his address noted that the rebranded Lagos State certificate of completion and fitness for rehabilitation became inimical due to the recurring incidence of building collapse.
In his words “in a bid to minimize recurring incidence of building collapse, we are putting in place strategies that would endure and serve as a pedestal for improved service delivery to our teeming clients in Lagos State. This was the thinking that birthed the need to rebrand the Certificate of Fitness for Habitation, amongst other revolutionary initiatives”.
Oki emphasised that the rebranded certificate stands to benefit both the State and the citizenry as every stage of a building construction will be closely monitored by the agency’s officials comprising builders, structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers amongst others after which the certificate will be issued.
The rebranded certificate is also backed up with a security OR code, according to Arc. Oki, can be verified on the agency’s website. This the General Manager noted that the initiative will boost the confidence of would-be tenants, property buyers and stakeholders in the built sector.
Adetayo Akitoye Asagba
Chief Public Affairs Officer
LASBCA